San Diego – Cory Sullivan was dusting himself off after his second triple of the fifth inning Sunday afternoon at Petco Park when he received a compliment from Padres third baseman and former Rockies star Vinny Castilla.
“I was standing on third and Vinny says, ‘You guys are making this place look small,”‘ Sullivan said.
That’s not something the Rockies are used to hearing on the road, but they earned that praise over the weekend.
They beat the Padres 10-4 on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep in which they scored 32 runs, the most ever by a Rockies team in a road series. Those 32 runs also were the most by any team in a three-game series at Petco Park.
“I think everybody will start to realize that this team is not all hype,” Sullivan said.
Yes, it’s early. And yes, it’s just one series. But Sullivan’s comment carries some weight. Although Sunday marked just the 13th road sweep of three games or more in franchise history, this group of Rockies has been playing better away from Coors Field. The Rockies have won 10 of their past 13 road series, dating to last season. And the weekend sweep was the Rockies’ first at Petco Park – and their first in San Diego since April 17-19, 2001.
The Rockies traditionally get decent pitching on the road, but the hitting has been lackluster. But those dormant bats are waking up, as shown by the Rockies’ 48 hits in the series, including eight homers.
“I think a lot of it is being comfortable and more confident,” said cleanup hitter Garrett Atkins, who matched his career high with four hits Sunday, raising his average to .462. “Our young guys are getting used to the ballparks and the routine of the road. I think it makes a difference.”
San Diego ace Jake Peavy, pummeled for 11 hits and eight runs in four-plus innings, said he wasn’t surprised by the Rockies’ power display.
“I think they were the best team in the (National League) West the second half of last year,” he said. “They have a lot of good young bats over there.”
Colorado’s road bats might not stay red hot, but left fielder Matt Holliday predicts the Rockies are built to be effective for the long haul.
“I know we hit some homers this series, but most of our guys aren’t primarily home run hitters,” he said. “We have a lot of guys who can square up on the ball and hit it gap to gap. That plays out anywhere, not just at Coors Field.”
In the three-game series, the Rockies hit 12 doubles and four triples.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, while thrilled with the sweep, tempered his praise with a wait-and-see approach. Asked for his theory about the Rockies’ offensive explosion, Hurdle answered: “Because they are capable of doing it. And, obviously, the other team is not pitching like they are capable of or need to. They left a lot of balls up over the plate.”
After taking today off, the Rockies begin a three-game series Tuesday at Arizona. Last week, the Diamondbacks took two out of three at Coors Field and Arizona pitchers struck out 29 Rockies in three games and held Colorado to a .229 average.
“We just have to keep this going,” Sullivan said. “We’re not going to score runs like this every game, but this is a confidence booster, no question about it.”
Staff writer Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
